William henry pi-ielps



(No Model.)

, W..H. PHELPS.

APPARATUS FOR WASHING VEHICLES.

No. 579,242. Patented Mar. 23, 1897.

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WM i Fig Jiaz'zze llnrrnn @freres Parenti" @erica IVILLIAM HENRY PI-IELPS, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

APPARATUS FOR WASHING VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 579,242, dated March 23, 1897.

Application iiled July Il, 1896- T0 o//ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HENRY PHELPs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Va-shing Vehicles; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable` others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to that class of apparatus designed to be used in washing vehicles of various kinds in a stable or carriage-house; and it consists more particularly of a novel swivel pipe-joint by which the hose for washing may be carried around the vehicle to gain the greatest advantage in time and labor and in use of the spray-nozzle.

The object of my invention is to provide means for swinging the'water-pipe or hose around over the vehicle, following the operator,who carries the nozzle, and to provide such an apparatus that shall be free from the annoyances and expense incident to such appliances as heretofore used. In my device all leakage of water overhead is prevented, and it is cheaply manufactured, durable, and economical in use.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l represents a vertical section through a room arranged for washing a vehicle, showing my device in elevation situated below the ceiling. Fig. 2 is a top plan view, and Fig. 3 is a central sectional view, of the swivel-joint.

In the drawings, A designates my swiveljoint; B, a circular track which may be suitably supported by means of brackets to the ceiling. C is a carriage having rollers d supporting the outer end of a swinging pipe D, which has its ou ter end bent downward and to which, by means of a coupling a, the hose E, having a nozzle F, is attached. G designates a water-supply pipe suitably secured to the walls of the room and leading overhead to the center oi' the track B, where it may be suitably attached. At a convenient point in the supply-pipe is located and connected a valve Serial No. 598,798. (No model.)

g, by which the water is admitted to the hose or shut off therefrom.

In constructing `imy swiveljoint I preferably use composition brass, but other suitable metals may be used, although those that are non-corrosive are best adapted. The part I-I has anipple t, providing a passage Q, extending through the nipple, which is suitably threaded for connecting with the pipe G. In the recess at the larger end of the part Il are screw-threads for receiving the threaded eX- terior of the cup-shaped part I, which has a recess f, and at the opposite or lower side a circular opening through the center, the inner edges of the central Opening being ball-shaped to provide a seat for the outer surface of the swivel-piece K, the two parts fitting together in the form of a spherical joint M. On the outer end of the cup I is an annular groove m', in which is seated a spring J. The opposite end of the swivel-piece K has outside screwthreads over which is screwed the end l of an elbow L, having a circular flange I). A looselyiitting collar N, having iiange e, is mounted above the iiange P, and has at its upper side an annular groove m, in which the opposite end of the spring J is seated. The under side of collar N and upper side of iiange P has an annular groove in which are ball-bearings R. The elbow has a passage O through it. The opposite end may terminate in the pipe D, or may be suitably connected by means of threads 'L' to a separately-formed pipe.

It will be seen that while the elbow carrying the swivel-piece and ball-bearing's is rotated the spring rests in its upper bearings, and the ball-bearings and ball-joint M permits of rotation and flexibility of joint without leakage, the water-passage bein continuous through the opening Q, f, 7L, and O to the hose. j

InA practical use the operator carries the nozzle F and in washing a vehicle carries it around to the various portions, drawing the hose E, which rotates the pipe-arm D,in the direction he is going, the supporting-carriage traveling around upon the circular track B, the swivel-jointA permitting the arm to rotate around the circle. It is obvious that in this way the hose is at all times out of the way overhead and entirely free from contact with IOO the vehicle, and when the work is Completed the hose is swung around to one side, permitting the withdrawal of the vehicle from under without entailing the trouble of coiling and removing the hose, as is generally the Case when drawn around upon the floor.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent7 is In an apparatus of the kind described, the combination of the swivel pipejoint, eo1nprising the part H, the cup-shaped part I oonneeted thereto by means of screw-threads, the swivel part K having a ball-and-soeket joint with said cup-shaped part I, the elbow L having the Iiange P connected by serewthreads to the said swivel-pieee, the eollar N having an annular groove at upper and lower side, the spring J seated at eaeh end in annular grooves in said piece I and in said eollar N, and the ball-bearings Rin grooves between said collar N and said iiange P, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VILLIAM HENRY PIIELPS.

Witnesses:

CHARLns MARIEN, E. T. SILvIUs. 

